The Lighthouse Keeper's Letter | Storybook for Parents

Far out on a rocky island stood a tall white lighthouse. A keeper named Joseph lived there. Every night, he climbed 112 steps to light the big lamp. Across the water, in a little town, lived his daughter, Amara. She was seven years old, and she missed her dad very much. From her bedroom window, she could see the lighthouse, like a tiny star on the dark sea. Why can't daddy come home? Amara asked your grandmother. Grandma Rose gave her a big hug. The lighthouse needs him right now, but look closely, my girl. Every night, that light says something. Amara watched. The light flashed once, twice, three times. Then it rested. One, two, three. I love you. From that night on, Amara waved to the light before bed, and every morning, a little boat brought her a letter from her dad. Sometimes it was a drawing of a seagull, sometimes a joke about a grumpy crab. Once, it was a story about a storm that tickled the whole island.

Amara kept every letter in a shoebox under her bed, and she wrote back. She drew her school. She drew her loose tooth. She drew her new puppy, who was chewing a slipper. One night, a thick fog rolled in. It was so thick, Amara couldn't see the lighthouse at all. Her tummy felt wobbly. But then she heard it. The fog horn. Low and steady. Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh. He's still there, Amara whispered. I just can't see him. She grabbed her flashlight and flashed it at the window. One, two, three. The next morning, the fog was gone, and the lighthouse stood shining in the sun. The little boat arrived with a letter. It said, "I saw your little light through the fog last night, Amara. It was the brightest light on the whole coast. Love, Dad." Some people are far away, but love still finds a way to get through. In letters, and in lights, and in the quiet when you're sure. What would you put in a letter to someone you miss?

Who do you think of at night? And what's one small thing we could do every day to remember each other? Before you go, here's something to share with your kids. These stories are also on the Pando app, which you can find in the app store and on Google Play. So your children can watch the very same story at home while you watch it here. Then you can talk about it together on your next call or visit. Same story in two places and one conversation. (gentle music) You